Apparatus for treating articles or units of material in a liquid bath



J 1 J. w. CHAMBERLlN ETAL 2,442,484

APPARATUS FOR TREATING ARTICLES OR UNITS MATERIAL IN A LIQUID BATH 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 31, 1944 ll ll INVENTORS.

June 1, 1948. J. w. CHAMBERLIN ETAL. 2,442,434

APPARATUS FOR TREATING ARTICLES 0R UNITS OF MATERIAL IN A LIQUID BATH Filed Jan. 31, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I III/I June 1, 1948. J. w. CHAMBERLIN ETAL 2,442,434

APPARATUS FOR TREATING ARTICLES QR UNITS OF MATERIAL IN A LIQUID BATH Filed Jan. 31, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 G 14 INVENTORJ fimZdfmzerfi/a Patented June 1, 1948 APPARATUS FOR. TREATING Anncms on owns or MATERIAL m A uoom BATH JohnW. Chamberlin, Mequon, and John F. Horvath, Milwaukee, Wis,

tion of Wisconsin assignors to Cleaver- Brooks Company, Milwaukee, Win, a corpora-.

' Application January 31, 1944, Serial No. 520,560

21 Claims. (01. 134134) This invention is concerned with an apparatus dor treating articles or units of material in a liquid bath by timedimmersion therein, and the particular example herein shown is designed for use in the preparation of potatoes which involves placing them in a heated caustic solution for a predetermined period of time and then removing them therefrom. The effect is to loosen or separate the outer skin from the flesh or meat 01' the vegetable by dissolving an intermediate layer of pectinous cells. Upon removal from the caustic bath the skins of the potatoes are readily detached, or may have already become detached in the course of the caustic treatment. Similar treatment or handling may be applicable to other vegetables or fruits as a. step in preparation for consumption; and the mechanism of this invention will also be adaptedfor the timed treatment of other materials, including metallic parts and products requiring immersion in various chemical reagents or solutions.-

The present invention relates to apparatus for handling the articles or units in the bath or solution and removing them therefrom toinsure a definite timing of the treatment and to permit it to be operated substantially as a continuous process. One object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus for performing such a process. v

In prior devices conveyor belts with paddles have been used to control movement of the mateiial through the treating bath, but it is an obiect of this invention to dispense with such belts andthe multiplicity of parts associated therewith and to provide a simpler and more compact structure in the form of a rotary wheel-like element to carry the material through the solution.

A further object of the invention is to provide .in a tank containing a treating solution a. rotary feeding device including paddles or vanes spaced at intervals around the axis of rotation, forming segmental pockets in which the vegetables or other articles are placed for movement through the solution, together with means for positively ejecting or delivering the treated material from the pockets as the rotary device arrives at a predetermined point in its cycle of movement.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a tank for the treating solution with heating means therein and a fixed recticulated cylinder or basket supported in the tank and extending below the level of the liquid, together with a rotor arranged to revolve about the horizontal axis of the cylindrical basket and having blades or paddles extending in generally radial directions from the axis of rotation for carrying the vegetables or other material in a 1 U-shaped path downwardly past one side of the axis and upwardly on the other side toja point apparatus embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same on a larger scale.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially as indicated at the line 3-3 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram indicating the control circuit for actuation of the compressed air cylinders which operate the delivery mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 3, but showing a modified construction in which the delivery mechanism is entirely mechanical and is combined with a step-by-step feed for the rotary member. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated at line 6-6 on Fig. 9, but showing the upper portion of the rotor in dotted outline superimposed on the section, the tank and casing of the machine being omitted, and the feeding mechanism being illustrated at a position of the cycle succeeding that shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing the parts as positioned at a later point in the cycle.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7 and showing the parts at their iinal position in the performance of the material-discharging function.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail elevation taken substantially as indicated at line 9-9 on Fig. 8, but on a larger scale.

While we have illustrated in the drawing, and

shall hereinafter describe in detail, two specific forms of the invention, it is to be understood that we do not intend to limit the invention to the particular forms or to the arrangements shown, it being contemplated that various of the tank for maintaining the desired temperature of the liquid. A thermostatic control element is indicated at 3 in Fig. 3 for automatically insuring this temperature. Fixedly supported within the tank or casing I is acylindrically formed metallic shell or basket havin a semi-cylindrical portion 4 of reticulated metal, preferably perforated sheet metal, and including upper portions 5, 6, 1 and 8 of arcuate form which may be also of sheet metal but without perforations. The portions 6 and 1 are disposed at opposite sides of an intake opening 9 defined by vertical walls In and II which may be respectively integral with the curved portions 8 and I; and, in fact, the parts 3 and I may be integrally connected beyond the ends of the intake mouth or opening 9 so as to constitute a single cover sheet with the inlet 9 formed therein. A discharge opening in the fixed cylinder is provided at l2 between the sections and 6, and

is defined by a downwardly inclined lip l3 connecting with a chute surface l4 and enclosed by suitable side walls l5 and a top wall IS, the latter extending horizontally from the lower edge oi the curved sheet 6.

The curved plate 5 is welded or otherwise united to the inclined lip l3 which has an inturned flange |1 secured to the upper rim of the tank I. At the opposite side the curved plate 8 has a flange 8 which is lodged upon the upper rim of the tank I whereby the cylindrical basket is definitely positioned within the tank. In addition, the basket is supported by sheet metal webs 3 extending across the lower portion of the tank and having their upper edges cut to cradle the perforated cylindrical wall.

Within the fixed cylinder there is provided a rotary structure resembling a paddle wheel and including a shaft which is journaled for rotation at the axis of the perforated wall 4 and carries a series of paddles 2| spaced at uniform intervals around the axis of the shaft 20 so as to form segmental compartments or pockets. These paddles or partitions 2| extend between circular flanges 22 which are fixed to the shaft 20, closing the ends of the segmental pockets between successive paddles 2|. A sweeper or ejector blade 23 is associated with each paddle or partition 2| and is hingedly attached thereto by pivotal means at 24 near the outer end of the paddle 2|. Each of the paddles 2| is curved about the axis of the pivot 24 on the adjacent paddle, and the sweeper blade 23 is curved to conform to the shape of the paddle or partition 2| to which it is hinged. Normally, each sweeper blade lies close to the back of its paddle or partition 2|, but may be swung about its pivot 24 so as to traverse the concave surface of the next adjacent paddle and eject material from the segmental compartment formed between the two paddles.

The rotary structure carried by the shaft 20 is slowly revolved by means of a motor 25 having its shaft 26 connected to a variable speed transmission enclosed in a housing 21 and driving a pulley 28 which is connected by a belt or chain 29 to a belt wheel or sprocket wheel 30 secured to the shaft 20 near one end thereof, as seen in Fig. 2. As the paddle wheel structure or rotor revolves, the fruits or vegetables are fed through the intake opening 9 so as to fall into the segmental pocket or compartments between adjacent partitions 2|. The tank I is normally provided with the liquid solution to level A, substantially at the axis of the shaft 20, and when the vegetables to be treated are introduced into this bath the resulting displacement raises the level to a point somewhat below the lip l3 oi the opening l2. As the rotor revolves through the liquid, it carries the vegetables downwardly, then horizontally along the lower portion of the perforated wall 4. and, finally, upward toward the delivery opening l2. Holes at 2| and 23 in the paddles and .blades respectively permit the liquid to pass through them and prevent the paddles from carrying it around with them through a complete revolution.

Each of the sweeper blades 23 carries a rod 3|, and the ends of the rod extend through arcuate slots 32 in the end flanges 22 of the rotor with rollers 33 on the outer ends of these rods. In traversing the shell or basket 4 the sweeper blades 23 are held in place against the backs of their respective paddles or partitions 2| by the engagement of these rollers 33 with circularly formed tracks or guard rails 34 fixedly supported in the tank adjacent the outer faces of the flanges 22. But as each paddle 2| passes the delivery opening I2 the rollers 33 pass beyond the upper'ends 35 of the curved tracks 34, leaving the associated sweeper blade 23 free to be swung outwardly about its hinge pivot 24 for discharging the material from the next adjacent paddle or partition 2| as it arrives with its outer edge in registration with the lip |3. The actuation of the sweeper blade 23 is effected by means of a pair of lever arms 36 having their upper ends pivoted at 31 in the housings 38 above the ends of the tank I. Each of these levers is connected by a piston rod 39 to a piston within a cylinder 40 pivotally anchored at 4| in the housing 38, and each cylinder is provided with an air inlet pipe 42 for the admission of compressed air to the cylinder for driving the piston outwardly therein. When the air is thus admitted to the cylinder the piston rod 39 swings the lever 36 outwardly, and the flanged outer edge of the lever 36 engages the roller 33, forcing the associated rod 3| outwardly in the curved slot 32 and carrying with it the hinged blade 23 which thus sweeps the concave surface of the adjacent partition 2| clear of all material lodged thereon, carrying the material into the discharge chute adjacent the lip l3. This material will consist of the vegetables which have remained for a predetermined period in the hot caustic solution, so that their outer skins have become loosened or even disengaged sufliciently for ready removal.

At the end of the delivery stroke of the sweeper blade 23 the air pressure in the cylinder 40 is relieved and vented, allowing a spring 43 to retract the lever 38 and the piston rod 39, expelling the air from the cylinder 40 through a suitable vent valve. In this retracted position the end of the lever 36 stands clear of the path of the roller 33 as it returns to the inner end of the slot 32 under the influence of gravity so that the blade 23 is collapsed snugly against the curved paddle or partition 2| as it passes the intake opening 9 through which additional vegetables are fed to the machine.

The provision of two cylinders 40, one at each end of the revolving rotor, with associated levers 36 to engage the rollers 33 at opposite ends of the rod 3|, insures a balanced operation and smooth action of each sweeper blade 23 as it is employed in the delivery function. g The actuation of these blades in 'properly timed relation to the travel of the rotor and the arrival of the compartments in registration with the delivery opening l2. i

accomplished by means diagrammatically shown. in Fig. 4. This includes the driving motor 28 withfeed wires 50, 5! and B2 of a three-wire system.

and shows a pair of lead wires 52 and '4 extendin reducing gear. as seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 8. and the actuating stem or arm I! of the limit switch carries a roller 58 ensageable with cam devices shown as nodes 59 on one of the end flanges 22 of the rotor. With-the limit switch in the posi-' tion shown in Fig. 4 the circuit is closed through the wire 60 leading from the switch to solenoid I and thence by returnwire 82 connected to the wire 54. This solenoid ii opens the air supply valve 64 in thesupply line 85 to admit air to both cylinders 40 for thrusting their piston rods 39 outwardly and causing the sweeping or delivery stroke of one of the blades 23. Fig. 3 shows the cam node 59 engaging the roller 82 to thus admit air to the cylinders l0 and cause the delivery stroke of-the uppermost sweeper blade 23 shown in this figure. The stroke is eflected with a relatively quick movement.- and the return stroke follows it immediately as the node 59 moves past the roller 58 and allows the limit switch to shift to a position in which the contactor connects the wire 53 and a wire 68 leading to the solenoid 61. This solenoid opens a relief valve 68, allowing the air in the cylinders 40 to escape therefrom, it being understood that upon the opening of the circuit of solenoid 6| by the limit switch 55 the valve 64 will return to closed position, shutting off the supply of compressed air .i'or the time being. It will be recognized that the cam nodes or elements 59 may be made of any desired length so as to extend circumier'entially along the edge of the flange 22 far enough to insure proper timing and duration of the air supply to the cylinders for the work which they must do. The solenoids BI and 61 with their electrical connections and the air valves 64 and 68 and their connecting piping may be mounted in the housing 28, but are shown only diagrammatically in Fig. 4, and are omitted from the structure shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Thus, as the rotor or paddle wheel structure is slowly revolved by the driving chain 29, the vegetables introduced at the intake opening 9 are carried in the segmental pockets around the lower portion of the perforated cylinder and through the heated caustic bath therein, and are then elevated to the discharge opening l2 and are swept through the opening into the delivery chute M by the automatic actuation of the sweeper blades, as just described.

Figs. 5 to 9 illustrate a modified structure in which the revolution of the rotor and the actuation of the sweeper blades are inter-related and accomplished mchanically without supplemental electrical means or air pressure. In this arrangement the motor 25 and transmission gearing at 2! drive the wheel 28, connected by the belt or chain 10 with the driven wheel II. This wheel carries a crank pin 12 to which a link I3 is pivotally attached, and the opposite end of the link is. connected by a pivot 14 to a rocker'arm II. The opposite end of the arm 15 is iournaled on the shaft 20 of the paddle wheel structure or rotor which is essentially similar to that already described. This rotor includes end flanges 22, curved paddles or partitions 2i and associated apparatus.

sweeper blades 22 hinged at 2| to the partitions 2|. The partitions 2| are curved about the axes oi the adiacent hinge pivots 24 so that the sweeper blades may traverse them in the same manner as already described. The tank I oi this structure supports the cylindrical perforated basket member l with its associated curved walls 5. l, I and I, and the cylinder is provided with an intake opening at l and a delivery opening at l2 tor the vegetables to be treated and discharged from the Each of the sweeper blades 28 carries arod 2|, as in the structure previously described, and these project through arcuate slots 32 and are preferably provided with rollers 32 at their outer ends." As seen in Fig. 5, these rollers engage the curved guard rail 24 to control the positions of the sweeper blades 28 as they pass through the perforated basket I.

Instead of having the rotor revolve continuously, however, it is turned intermittently by a step-by-step feed consisting of a pawl 18 carried by the rocker arm 15 as said arm is oscillated by rotation of the crank pin 12. The pawl 16 engages the teeth of a ratchet wheel 11 secured to the shaft 22 of the rotor, but these teeth are not uniformly spaced. Half of them, the teeth 18, extend through relatively small angles and the remaining teeth 19, which are arranged alternately with the teeth I8, extend through larger angles. The working stroke produced by the rotation of the'crank 12 is such that the pawl I6 engages each of the teeth II and I! in succession, but in alternate strokes there is considerable lost motion, so that the rotor is turned, first, through a small angle and then through a larger angle in its step-by-step rotation. The purpose of this arrangement will appear presently.

In addition to connecting the rocker l5 and the link 13, the pivot 14 carries one end of a pusher arm 20 having a concave terminal 8| formed at its outer end and extending laterally of the plane of the arm 80, as seen in Fig. 6. This outer end of the pusher normally rides slidably along a guide rail "which is fixed in the tank 1 adjacent one end of the rotor. With the wheel H turning in the direction indicated by the arrow 83, the pusher 80, as shown in Fig. 5, is at one end or its stroke and is about to move'to the left. During the next half revolution the link 13 will retract the pawl I8 to the upper portion of the ratchet wheel 11 in preparation for a feeding stroke: the angular extent of thisretraction is somewhat greater than the angle oi the wide tooth 19, but less than the sum of a tooth I8 and a tooth I8. At the same time, the pusher will move idly to the left with its concave terminal 8i sliding along the rail 82 and passing under the projecting end of the rod 3|, which, during this part of the cycle, stands out of the path of the pusher. as shown in Fig. 6.

As the movement 01' the link 13 is reversed for a feeding stroke, the pawl I8 is first advanced a short distance over a portion oi one of the narrow teeth I! and then engages the adjacent wide tooth 19 and proceeds to turn the rotor through an angle equal to the angular extent of said wide tooth ll. This is sumcient to bring a rod 3| and its roller 32 just above the level of the rail 82, along which the pusher terminal 8! has been drawn during this feeding stroke to its extreme right-hand limit at which it is seen in Fig.'7. Therefore, in the return stroke, the concave terminal 8| engages the roller 33 and picks up its rod II and drives it through the curved slot 32 to the outer end of the slot, as shown in Fig. 8, thus swinging the ejector blade 23 outwardly to discharge material from one of the pockets of the rotor and through the discharge opening l2. During this ejecting stroke the rotor remains stationary, and the pawl 18 is retracted over one of the wider teeth I9 but stops short of the point of this tooth, as seen in Fig. 8.

The next half revolution of the wheel H withdraws the pusher head 3| from the roller 33 on the rod 3 I, and allows the blade 23 to swing down from its ejecting position, carrying the rod 3| back toward the lower'end of the slot 32; and in the final portion of this stroke the pawl 16, having traveled idly over a part of the tooth I9, engages the adjacent tooth 18 and turns the rotor through a small angle equal to the angular extent of this tooth 18. This is sufflcient to shift the rod 3| to a position such as that shown in Fig. 5, at which it is far enough above the rail 82 to be clear of the path of the pusher head 8| in its next stroke to the left. This completes the cycle. The next feeding stroke of the pawl 16, engaging a tooth 19 as seen in Fig. 6, turns the rotor far enough to bring the next pocket into discharge position at the opening II,

By this arrangement the reciprocation of the link or pitman 13 serves to turn the rotor with a step-by-step feed and also actuates the ejector blades as each pocket is brought into registration with the discharge opening l2. The lost motion in the ratchet feed, resulting from the relations of the parts as illustrated in Fig. 8, permits the pusher head to disengage itself from the roller 33 on the rod 3| without the tendency to jamming of the parts, which might occur if the rotor were being positively advanced during the retraction of the pusher; and since it is not feasibleto make up this loss in the remainder of a single feed stroke, the advance of each pocket to discharge position is divided between two feeding strokes, and the pusher is allowed to idle in its alternate strokes.

It will be evident that by properly proportioning the speed-reducing gearing in the housing 21 and the ratio between the pulley 28 and the belt wheel H, the frequency of the strokes of the rocker l and its pawl 16 may be adjusted so as to carry the vegetables through the caustic bath in the desired time for proper treatment, and the fact that the rotor is advanced intermittently instead of continuously will not alter the treatment which they receive during immersion in the caustic solution. The mechanical linkage which accomplishes the movement of the sweeper blades 23 for discharging of the vegetables in proper timed relation to the turning of the rotor, is somewhat simpler than the arrangement which employs air-driven cylinders and electrical solenoid controls for them as shown in the structure first described. When this step-by-step feed is employed a detent ratchet dog 84 may be arranged to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 11 to prevent reverse rotation of the rotor during the idling strokes of the feeding mechanism, and if there should be any tendency of the rotor to over-ride the feeding strokes a suitable drag device, not shown, may be applied to prevent such movement.

In order that the proper quantity of treating liquid may be kept in the tank during operation of the apparatus, a level indicator of the float type may be mounted with its indicating element projecting from the housing 38 as shown at 85 in Figs. 1 and 2; and to facilitate adding liquid at any time, a hinged door 36 is provided in the end wall of the housing 38.

' of the cylinder submerged in the liquid, a paddle wheel structure including a shaft journaled at the axis of said cylinder with paddles extending outwardly therefrom at angular intervals to form segmental pockets which are open upwardly to receive material at the upper side of the wheel and which serve to carry said material downwardly through the liquid at one side of the cylinder axis and then upwardly at the other side of said aids, the cylinder having a discharge opening, and said paddle wheel includingejectors each mounted to traverse one of the pockets for removing material therefrom, and means actuating each ejector when its pocket registers with said discharge opening.

2. A material treating apparatus comprising, in combination, a tank for the treating liquid, a cylinder mounted in said tank with its axis substantially horizontal and with the lower portion of the cylinder submerged in the liquid, a paddle wheel structure including a shaft joumaled at the axis of said cylinder with paddles extending outwardly therefrom at angular intervals to form segmental pockets which are open upwardly to receive material at the upper side of the wheel and which serve to carry said material downwardly through the liquid at one side of the cylinder axis andthen upwardly at the other side of said axis. the cylinder having a discharge opening, and said paddle wheel including ejector blades each overlying the rear face of a paddle and hinged thereto in position to sweep through the pocket between adjacent paddles for removing material therefrom, and means actuating each ejector when its pocket registers with said discharge opening.

3. A material treating apparatus comprising, in combination, a tank for the treatin liquid, 9. cylinder mounted in said tank with its axis substantially horizontal and with the lower portion of the cylinder submerged in the liquid, a paddle wheel structure including a shaft joumaled at the axis of said cylinder with paddles extending outwardly therefrom at angular intervals to form segmental pockets which are open upwardly to receive material at the upper side of the wheel and which serve to carry said material downwardly through the liquid at one side of the cyinder axis and then upwardy at the other side of said axis, the cylinder having a discharge opening, and said paddles having forward faces of substantially arcuate cross-section, each curved about the outer edge of the paddle ahead of it. ejector blades hinged to said outer edges of the paddles and normally overlying the entire rear faces of the respective paddles, and means operativeto swing each of said blades about its hinge to sweep material from the arcuate face of the adjacent paddle as said paddle registers at the discharge opening.

4. In the apparatus defined in claim 2, each of said paddles and each 'of said e ector blades being perforated and the level of liquid in the tank extending adjacent the axis of rotation of v the paddle wheel structure and not above the said discharge opening.

5. A material treating apparatus comprising,

in combination, a tank for a treating liquid, a cylinder mounted in said tank with its axis substantially horizontal and with the lower portion of the cylinder submerged in the liquid, a paddle wheel structure including a shaft journaled at the axis of said cylinder, circular end flanges on said shaft rotatable therewith and dimensioned to serve substantially as end walls for the cylinder and paddles extending outwardly from the shaft and from one end flange to the other at angular intervals to form segmental pockets which are open upwardly to receive material at the upper side of the wheel and which serve to carry said material downwardly through the liquid at one side of the cylinder axis and then upwardly at the other side of said axis, the outer ends of said paddles passing closely adjacent the cylinder wall as the paddle wheel structure rotates, said cylinder having a discharge opening above a horizontal plane passing through the cylinder axis, and means actuated in timed relation to the rotation of said paddle wheel structure and operating to positively eject material from the pockets as they register with said discharge opening.

6. A material treating apparatus comprising, in combination, a tank for treating liquid, a cylinder mounted in said tank with its axis substantially horizontal and with the lower portion of the cylinder submerged in the liquid, a paddle wheel structure including a shaft joumaled at the aXis of said cylinder, circular end flanges on said shaft rotatable therewith and dimensioned to serve substantially as end walls for the cylinder, and paddles extending outwardly from the shaft and from one end flange to the other at angular intervals to form segmental pockets which are open upwardly to receive material at the upper side of the wheel and which serve to carry said material downwardly through the liquid at one side of the cylinder axis and then upwardly at the other side of said axis, the outer ends of said paddles passing closely adjacent the cylinder wall as the paddle wheel structure rotates, said cylinder having a discharge opening above the level of the liquid in the tank, ejector blades each overlying the rear face of a paddle and hinged thereto in position to sweep through the pocket between adjacent paddles for removing material therefrom, said end flanges having arcuate guide slots for each pocket, each ejector blade having projections extending through said guide slots, and actuating means located adjacent the cylinder and engageable with at least one of said projections for each ejector as the corresponding pocket registers with the discharge opening, said actuating means being operable in timed relation to the rotation of the paddle wheel structure for swinging the ejector blade about its hinge in its sweeping movement to discharge material from the pocket.

7. A material treating apparatus comprising, in combination, a tank for the treating liquid, a cylinder mounted on said tank with its axis substantially horizontal and with the lower portion of the cylinder submerged in the liquid, a paddle wheel structure rotatably mounted in said cylinder and operable when rotated to carry material downwardly through the liquid at one side of'the cylinder axis and then upwardly at the other side of said axis, a ratchet wheel fixed to said paddle wheel structure, an oscillating driving member, a ratchet dog carried thereby to rotate the paddle wheel with an intermittent motion, means operative to positively eject material from said paddle wheel structure after such material has been pamed through the liquid by the rotation of said wheel, and a connection whereby said oscillating member actuates said ejecting means while the paddle wheel structure is at rest.

8. A material treating apparatus comprising, in combination, a tank for the treating liquid, 9. cylinder mounted in said tank with its axis substantially horizontal and with the lower portion oi the cylinder submerged in the liquid, a paddle wheel structure including a shaft journaled at the axis of said cylinder with paddles extending outwardly therefrom at angular intervals to form segmental pockets which are open upwardly to receive material at the upper side of the wheel and which serve to carry said material downwardly through the liquid at one side of the cylinder axis and then upwardly at the other side of said axis, the cylinder having a discharge opening and said paddle wheel structure including electors each mounted to traverse one of the pockets for removing material therefrom, together with mechanical means operative alternately to rotate the paddle wheel structure with a step-by-step motion and to actuate the ejector of the pocket which is registered at the discharge opening, the paddle wheel structure remaining at rest during such operation of the ejector.

9. A material treating apparatus comprising, in combination, a cylinder mounted with its axis substantially horizontal and with treating liquid occupying the lower portion of the cylinder, a rotor journaled at the axis of said cylinder and comprising end flanges with radially disposed blade members extending between them at angular intervals defining segmental pockets which serve to carry material downwardly through the liquid at one side of the cylinder axis and then upwardly at the other side of said axis to a discharge opening above the level of the treating liquid, each of said blade members being hinged adjacent its own outer edge for swinging of its inner edge outwardly through the pocket between said member and the next blade member, means for turning the rotor and means for thus swinging each blade as the corresponding pocket registers with the discharge opening.

10. In the apparatus defined in claim 9, each of said blade members being curved about the hinge axis of the next blade member, and each of said blades being dimensioned to sweep close to the curved surface of an adjacent blade in its material ejecting swing.

11. In the apparatus defined in claim 9, means blocking the swinging movement of said blades while they are traversing the submerged portion of the cylinder and until each pocket registers with the discharge opening.

12. In the apparatus defined in claim 9, each of said blade members having a part projecting beyond one of the rotor flanges, and the operating means for swinging said blades being disposed beyond said flange for engagement with said projecting parts of the blades as the rotor revolves.

13. A material treating apparatus comprising, in combination, a tank for the treating liquid, a cylinder mounted in said tank with its axis substantially horizontal and with the lower portion of the cylinder submerged in the liquid, a paddle wheel structure including a shaft journaled at the axis of said cylinder with paddles extending outwardly therefrom at angular intervals to form segmental pockets which are open upwardly to receive material at the upper side of the wheel l1 and which serve to carry said material downwardly through the liquid at one side of the cylinder axis and then upwardly at the other side of said axis, the cylinder having a discharge opening, and said paddle wheel including ejector blades each overlying. the rear face of a paddle and hinged thereto in position to sweep through the pocket between adjacent paddles for removing material therefrom, each blade having abutment means projecting from its edge at one end of the paddle wheel structure and at a distance from the hinge of the blade, and means actuating each ejector when its pocket registers with said discharge opening comprising a motor device with a lever connected thereto and pivoted adjacent the end of the paddle wheel in position to swing into engagement with said abutment means and move it through its sweeping stroke, together with means timed by the rotation of the paddle wheel structure to energize said motor device as each pocket registers with the discharge p 14. A material treating apparatus comprising, in combination, a tank for a treating liquid, a cylinder mounted in said tank with its axis substantially horizontal and with the lower portion of the cylinder submerged in the liquid, a paddle wheel structure including a shaft journaled at the axis of said cylinder, circular end flanges on said shaft rotatable therewith and dimensioned to serve substantially as end walls for the cylinder, and paddles extending outwardly from the shaft and from one end flange to the other at angular intervals to form segmental pockets which are open upwardly to receive material at the upper side of the wheel and which serve to carry said material downwardly through the liquid at one side of the cylinder axis and then upwardly at the other side of said axis, the outer ends of said paddles passing closely adjacent the cylinder. wall as the paddle wheel structure rotates, said cylinder having a discharge opening above the level of the liquid in the tank, and means actuated in timed relation to the rotation of said paddle wheel structure and operating to positively eject material from the pockets as they register with said discharge opening, said means for ejecting material comprising ejectors each mounted to traverse one of the pockets for removing material therefrom, each ejector having a rod attached thereto, said rod extending through uide slots in the end flanges, levers fulcrumed beyond the ends of the paddle wheel structure in position to engage said projecting ends of the rods as each pocket registers with the discharge opening, and means for actuating said levers to operate the ejectors in timed relation to the rotation of the paddle wheel structure as each pocket registers with said discharge opening.

15. A material treating apparatus comprising, in combination, a tank for a treating liquid, a cylinder mounted in said tank with its axis substantially horizontal and with the lower portion of the cylinder submerged in the liquid, a paddle wheel structure including a shaft journaled at the axis of said cylinder, circular and flanges on said shaft rotatable therewith and dimensioned to serve substantially as end walls for the cylinder, and paddles extending outwardly from the shaft and from one end flange to the other at angular intervals to form segmental pockets which are open upwardly to receive material at the upper'side of the wheel and which serve to carry said material downwardly through the liquid at one side of the cylinder axis and then up- 12 wardiy at the other side of said axis, the outer ends of said paddles passing closely adjacent the cylinder wall as the paddle wheel structure rotates, said cylinder having a discharge opening above the level of the liquid in the tank, and means actuated in timed relation to the rotation of said paddle wheel structure and operating to positively eject material from the pockets as they register with said discharge opening, said ejecting means including ejector blades each overlying the rear face of a paddle and hinged thereto in position to sweep through the pocket between adjacent paddles for removing material therefrom, said end flanges having arcuate slots in the portions forming the end of each pocket, each ejector blade having means projecting from it through said slots, and means for holding said blades in withdrawn position against the rear faces of the paddles comprising C-shaped tracks fixedly mounted adjacent the outer faces of said end flanges and engaging said projections as the pockets travel downwardly on one side of the axis and then upwardly at the'other side to position for discharge.

16. A material treating apparatus comprising, in combination, a tank for a treating liquid, a cylinder mounted in said tank with its axis substantially horizontal and with the lower portion of the cylinder submerged in the liquid, a paddle wheel structure including a shaft journaled at the axis of said cylinder, circular end flanges on said shaft rotatable therewith and dimensioned to serve substantially as end walls for the cylinder, and paddles extending outwardly from the shaft and from one nd flange to the other at angular intervals to form segmental pockets which are open upwardly to receive material at the upper side of the wheel and which serve to carry said material downwardly through the liquid at one side of the cylinder axis and then upwardly at the other side of said axis, the outer ends of said paddles passing closely adjacent the cylinder wall as the paddle wheel structure rotates, said cylinder having a discharge opening above the level of the liquid in the tank, and means actuated in timed relation to the rotation of said paddle wheel structure and operating to positively eject material from the pockets as they register with said discharge opening, said means for ejecting material comprising ejector blades each overlying the rear face of the paddle and hinged thereto in position to sweep through the pocket between adjacent paddles for removing material therefrom, the end flanges of the paddle wheel structure having arcuate slots in the portions forming the end walls of the pockets and each ejector blade having abutment means projecting through said slots, piston and cylinder devices adjacent each end of the aforesaid cylinder, including means engageable with said abutment means of each blade as its corresponding pocket registers with the discharge opening, together with solenoid operated valves for controlling a supply of fluid under pressure to said piston and cylinder devices, a switch device for controlling the solenoids of said valves and cam devices on the cylinder, one for each pocket therein, arranged to actuate said switch as the cylinder rotates.

17. A material treating apparatus comprising, in combination, a tank for the treating liquid, a cylinder mounted in said tank with its axis substantially horizontal and with the lower portion of the cylinder submerged in the liquid, a paddle wheel structure including a shaft journaled at wardly through the liquid at one side of the cylinder axis and then upwardly at the other side of said axis, the cylinder having a discharge opening, and said paddle wheel including ejector blades each overlying the rear face of a paddle and hinged thereto in position to sweep through the pocket between adjacent paddles for removing material therefrom, each blade having abutment means projecting from its edge at one end of the paddle wheel structure and at a distance from the hinge of the blade, a ratchet wheel fixed to the paddle wheel structure, an oscillating driving member with a ratchet dog carried thereby to rotate the paddle wheel with an intermittent motion, and means actuating each ejector when its pocket registers with said discharge opening comprising a pusher link mounted for reciprocation by said oscillating member and engageable with the abutment means of each ejector blade when the corresponding pocket is registered at the discharge opening, said pusher link actuating the ejector blade while the paddle wheel structure is at rest.

18. A material treating apparatus comprising, in combination, a tank for the treating liquid, a cylinder mounted in said tank with its axis substantially horizontal and with the lower portion of the cylinder submerged in the liquid, a paddle wheel structure including a shaft journaled at the axis of said cylinder with paddles extending outwardly therefrom at angular intervals to form segmental pockets which are open upwardly to receive material at the upper side of the wheel and which serve to carry said material downwardly through the liquid at one side of the cylinder axis and then upwardly at the other side of said axis, the cylinder having a discharge opening, and said paddle wheel includin ejector blades each overlying the rear face of a paddle and hinged thereto in position to sweep through the pocket between adjacent paddles for removing material therefrom, each blade having abutment means projecting from its edge at one end of the paddle wheel structure and at a distance from the hinge of the blade, a ratchet wheel fixed to the shaft of said paddle wheel structure, a rocker arm journaled on said shaft, a rotary driving crank with a pitman connecting said crank to said arm, said rocker arm carryinga ratchet dog for advancing the paddle wheel structure with a step-by-step motion as the rocker arm is oscillated by the crank, and means actuating each ejector when its pocket registers with said discharge opening, comprising a reciprocable pusher link pivoted to the rocker arm and a track for said link guiding it into engagement with the abutment means of each blade as the corresponding pocket of the paddle wheel structure is registered at the discharge opening,

liquid at one side of the cylinder axis and then upwardly at the other side of said axis to a discharge opening above the level of the treating liquid, each ofsaid blade members being hinged adjacent its own outer edge for swinging of its inner edge outwardly through the pocket between said member and the next blade member, means for turning the rotor and means for thus swinging each blade as the corresponding pocket registers with the discharge opening, the means for turning the rotor and the means for swinging the blades including a ratchet wheel attached to the rotor, a reciprocating driver with a feed pawl connected thereto which turns the ratchet wheel and rotor by the angular extent of one tooth in each stroke of the driver, said ratchet wheel having a plurality of teeth corresponding to each pocket of the rotor and requiring a plurality of strokes of the driver to advance each pocket from a position adjacent the discharge opening to full registration therewith, and a pusher connected to said driver engageable with each of said blades when its respective pocket is registered for discharge and operable to carry a blade through its full swing in a single return stroke of the driver between successive feeding strokes of the pawl.

20. A material treating apparatus comprising, in combination, a cylinder mounted with its axis substantially horizontal and with treating liquid occupying the lower portion .of the cylinder, a rotor journaled at the axis of said cylinder and comprising end flanges with radially disposed blade members extending between them at "angular intervals defining segmental pockets which serve to carry material downwardly through the liquid at one side of the cylinder axis and then upwardly at the other side of said axis to a discharge opening above the level of the treating liquid, each of said blade members being hinged adjacent its own outer edge-for swinging of its inner edge outwardly through the pocket between said member and the next blade member, means for turning the rotor and means for thus swinging each blade as the corresponding pocket registers with the discharge opening, the means for turning the rotor and the means for swinging the blades including a ratchet wheel attached to the rotor, a reciprocating driver with a feed pawl connected thereto which turns the ratchet wheel and rotor by the angular extent of one tooth in each stroke of the driver, said ratchet wheel having a plurality of teeth corresponding to each pocket of the rotor and requiring a plurality of strokes of the driver to advance each pocket from a position adjacent the discharge opening to full registration therewith, and a pusher connected to said driver engageable with each of said blades when its respective pocket is registered for discharge and operable to carry a blade through its full swing in a single return stroke of the driver between successive feeding strokes of the pawl, said pusher reciprocating idly thereafter until the next pocket is registered at discharge position by additional feeding action of the pawl.

21. A material treating apparatus comprising, in combination, a cylinder mounted with its axis substantially horizontal and with treating liquid occupying the lower portion of the cylinder, a rotor journaled at the axis of said cylinder and comprising end flanges with radially disposed blade members extending between them at angular intervals defining segmental pockets which serve to carry material downwardly through the 15 liquid at one side or the cylinder axis and then upwardly at the other side of said axis to a discharge opening above the level of the treating the blades including a ratchet wheel attached to the rotor, a reciprocating driver with a feed pawl connected thereto which turns the ratchet wheel and rotor by the angular extent of one tooth in each stroke of the driver, said ratchet wheel having two teeth of unequal angular extent corresponding to each pocket of the rotor and requiring two strokes of the driver to advance each pocket from a position adjacent the discharge opening to full registration therewith, such registration being efiected when the pawl drives the wider tooth, and a pusher connected to said driver and engageable' with each blade in the return stroke of the driver following said registration, said pusher operating to carry the blade through its full swing in said return stroke while the pawl is retracted over a narrow tooth and a portion oi the next wide tooth, said pawl having a substantial lost motion over said wide tooth in the initial portion of its next feeding stroke, leaving the rotor stationary during this period and allowing the pusher to be disengaged from the blade before the rotor is advanced by driving action of the pawl againsta narrow tooth in the final portion of said next feeding stroke.

JOHN W. CHAMBERIJN. JOHN F. HORVATH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

